Information processing apparatus and method for operating same

ABSTRACT

When the power supply is turned on, the value of a mode flag first is set to 0, the mode flag is evaluated, and processing of the record mode is executed. In the record mode, charging processing of the strobe is performed for a specified interval of time, and the strobe can be reliably caused to flash. Charging processing of the strobe is not performed while processing of reproduction (play) mode or another mode is being performed, and battery consumption is controlled.

This is Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/801,331 filed Jun. 3,2010, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 12/222,266 filedAug. 6, 2008, which in turn is a Continuation of application Ser. No.10/634,924 filed Aug. 6, 2003, which in turn is a Division ofapplication Ser. No. 08/882,406 filed Jun. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.6,628,336, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.HEI-8-164288 filed Jun. 25, 1996. The disclosures of the priorapplications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus,for example, an information processing apparatus well-suited for use inan electronic camera, and the like, that converts an image of an objectto digital data and records the data. The invention also relates to amethod for operating an information processing apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

In contrast to cameras using film, electronic cameras photograph imagesof objects using a CCD, and the like, convert those images to digitaldata, and record that data in internal memory, removable memory cards,and the like. Images photographed using these electronic cameras can bereproduced on the spot and displayed on LCD screens, and the like,without undergoing development and printing as with conventionalcameras.

Among such electronic cameras, when recording an image, and whenreproducing an image while being set in record mode, there are thosebeing provided with a setting switch, separate from the power supplyswitch, for setting a reproduction (play) mode. Alternatively, there aredigital cameras having a function added to the power supply switch forswitching between the record mode and reproduction (play) mode. Forexample, the power supply is turned off when the power supply switch ismoved to the center, it becomes record mode when the power supply switchis moved to the left, and it becomes reproduction (play) mode when thepower supply switch is moved to the right.

However, there was a problem that, when a switch for setting record modeand reproduction (play) mode is provided separately from the powersupply switch, and when wishing to photograph a specified object, it isnecessary to operate the setting switch after having first turned on thepower supply switch, and opportunities for photography and soundrecording may be missed.

Also, there was a problem that, when the power supply switch serves alsoas a setting switch for performing setting of record mode andreproduction (play) mode, and when having attempted to photograph aspecified object, the reproduction (play) mode may get set byoperational error, and opportunities for photography and sound recordingmay be missed.

Furthermore, when attempting to perform photography, having suddenly setto record mode, opportunities for photography may be missed due to thestrobe not being fully charged in time. Thus, because charging of thestrobe occurs during the reproduction (play) mode, there was a problemthat the batteries could wear out prematurely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was created in consideration of such conditions,and it enables recording on the spot when wishing to record information.

The inventive information processing apparatus can comprise an inputdevice (for example, shooting lens 3 of FIG. 1, CCD 20 of FIG. 3, andmicrophone 8 of FIG. 1) for inputting information, a memory device (forexample, memory card 24 of FIG. 3) for storing information input by theinput device, a power supply (for example, batteries 21 of FIG. 3) forsupplying electric power to the input device, an indicator (for example,power supply switch 11 of FIG. 1) for indicating power supply to theinput device, and a mode switching device (for example, touch tablet 6Aof FIG. 2 and pen-type pointing device 46 of FIG. 4) capable ofswitching a first mode capable of storing in the memory informationinput by the input device, and a second mode for reproducing informationstored in the memory, wherein the mode switching device switches to thefirst mode when power supply is indicated by the indicator means. Also,the input device can be made so as to input image or sound.

The information processing apparatus may comprise an input drivingdevice (for example, shooting lens 3 of FIG. 1, CCD 20 of FIG. 3,microphone 8 of FIG. 1, and condenser 22 of FIG. 3) for driving inputinformation, a memory (for example, memory card 24 of FIG. 3) forstoring information input by driving of the input driving device, apower supply (for example, batteries 21 of FIG. 3) for supplyingelectric power to the input driving device, and a mode switching device(for example, touch tablet 6A of FIG. 2 and pen-type pointing device 46of FIG. 4) capable of switching a first mode capable of storing in thememory information input by driving of the input driving device, and asecond mode capable of reproducing information stored in the memory,wherein driving of the input driving device is stopped when the secondmode is switched by the switching device.

Also, the power supply can be made so as to stop power supply to theinput driving device when the second mode is switched by the switchingdevice.

Also, the input driving device can be made so as to have an imagingdevice (for example, CCD 20 of FIG. 3, and image processor 31, lensdrive circuit 30, and CCD drive circuit 39 of FIG. 4) for imaging animage of an object.

Also, the input driving device can be made so as to have a chargeaccumulating device (for example, condenser 22 of FIG. 3) foraccumulating charge required in order to drive an illuminating device(for example, flash component 4 of FIG. 1) for illuminating an object.

Also, the input driving device can be made so as to have a sound inputdevice (for example, microphone 8 of FIG. 1) for inputting sound.

Also, driving of the input driving device can be made so as to bepermitted when the first mode is switched by the switching device.

Also, the apparatus can be made so as to further comprise a display (forexample, LCD 6 of FIG. 2) for displaying information input by driving ofthe input driving device.

The information processing apparatus can comprise an imaging device (forexample, shooting lens 3 of FIG. 1 and CCD 20 of FIG. 3) for imaging animage of a specified object, a sound input device (for example,microphone 8 of FIG. 1) for inputting a specified sound, a memory (forexample, memory card 24 of FIG. 3) for storing information correspondingto the image imaged by the imaging device and information correspondingto the sound input by the sound input device, a mode switching device(for example, touch tablet 6A of FIG. 2 and pen-type pointing device 46of FIG. 4) for, switching the mode, a recording and reproducing device(for example, DSP 33 of FIG. 4) for recording to the memory informationcorresponding to the sound input by the sound input device, andreproducing information corresponding to the sound stored in the memory,and an indicator (for example, sound recording switch 12 of FIG. 2) forindicating the start of recording to the memory informationcorresponding to the sound input by the sound input device, andindicating the start of reproducing the sound stored in the memory,wherein the indicator indicates the start of recording to the memoryinformation corresponding to the sound input by the sound input devicewhen the mode capable of recording the information is switched by themode switching device, and indicates the start of reproducinginformation corresponding to the sound stored in the memory when themode capable of reproducing the recorded information is switched by themode switching device.

In the information processing apparatus according to a first aspect ofthe invention, the input device inputs information; the memory storesinformation input by the input device; the power supply supplieselectric power to the input device; the indicator indicates power supplyto the input device; the mode switching device switches a first modecapable of storing in the memory information input by the input device,and a second mode for reproducing information stored in the memory. Themode switching device switches to the first mode when power supply isindicated by the indicator. Consequently, the apparatus canautomatically enter a mode capable of storing information when the powersupply is turned on.

When power supply is indicated by the indicator, the mode switchingdevice switches to the first mode capable of storing in the memoryinformation input by the input device. Therefore, the apparatus canautomatically enter a mode capable of storing information when the powersupply is turned on, and it becomes possible to have information storedimmediately when wishing to have it stored.

In the information processing apparatus according to a second aspect ofthe invention, the input driving device is driven to input information;the memory stores information input by driving of the input drivingdevice; the power supply supplies electric power to the input drivingdevice; the mode switching device switches a first mode capable ofstoring in the memory information input by driving of the input drivingdevice, and a second mode capable of reproducing information stored inthe memory. Driving of the input driving device is stopped when thesecond mode is switched by the switching device. Consequently, the inputdriving device can be driven only when in a mode capable of storinginformation.

Between a first mode capable of storing in the memory information inputby driving of the input driving device, and a second mode capable ofreproducing information stored in the memory, when the second mode isswitched by the switching device, driving of the input driving device isstopped. Therefore, the input driving device can be driven only when ina mode capable of storing information, wasteful consumption of electricpower of the power supply can be controlled, and information can becaused to be stored rapidly when switched to the first mode.

In the information processing apparatus according to a third aspect ofthe invention, the imaging drive acquires an image of a specifiedobject; the sound input drive inputs a specified sound; the memorystores information corresponding to the image imaged by the imagingdevice and information corresponding to the sound input by the soundinput device; the recording and reproducing device records to the memoryinformation corresponding to the sound input by the mode switchingdevice for switching the mode and the sound input device, and reproducesinformation corresponding to the sound stored in the memory; theindicator indicates the start of recording to the memory informationcorresponding to the sound input by the sound input device, andindicates the start of reproducing the sound stored in the memory. Theindicator indicates the start of recording to the memory informationcorresponding to the sound input by the sound input device when the modecapable of recording the information is switched by the mode switchingdevice, and indicates the start of reproducing information correspondingto the sound stored in the memory when the mode capable of reproducingthe recorded information is switched by the mode switching device.Consequently, the indicator can perform different indications during themode capable of recording information and the mode capable ofreproducing information.

The indicator indicates the start of recording, to the memory, ofinformation corresponding to the sound input by the sound input devicewhen a mode capable of recording the information is switched by the modeswitching device, and indicates the start of reproduction of informationcorresponding to the sound stored in the memory when a mode capable ofreproducing the recorded information is switched by the mode switchingdevice. Therefore, the indicator can perform different indicationsduring the mode capable of recording information and the mode capable ofreproducing information. Consequently, the operating components can besimplified, and operability can be improved.

These and other aspects and salient features of the present inventionwill be described in or apparent from the following detailed descriptionof preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in relation to the following drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of embodiment of an electronic cameraaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an electronic camera according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of an internal configuration ofan electronic camera according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block drawing showing an example of an internal electricalconfiguration of an electronic camera according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of a display screen displayed onan LCD of an electronic camera according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart explaining an operation of an electronic cameraaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart explaining a processing procedure in a recordmode of an electronic camera according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart explaining a processing procedure for strobecharging an electronic camera according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views showing a configuration of oneembodiment of an electronic camera of the present invention. Forconvenience of explanation, among the six surfaces constitutingelectronic camera 1, when photographing an object, the surface orientedtoward the object is surface X1, and the surface oriented toward theuser is surface X2. On the upper part of surface X1, there are provideda finder 2 used in confirmation of the shooting scope of the object, ashooting lens 3 for acquiring a light image of the object, a flashcomponent (strobe) 4 for emitting light to illuminate the object, and ared-eye reduction lamp 44 for controlling the red-eye phenomenon.

Meanwhile, on the upper part of surface X2 opposite surface X1 (theposition corresponding to the upper part of surface X1 on which finder2, shooting lens 3, and strobe 4 are formed), there are provided thefinder 2 and a speaker 5. Speaker 5 outputs sound corresponding to sounddata recorded on a memory card, or the like, installed inside electroniccamera 1. Also, LCD 6 and operating keys 7, formed on surface X2, arepositioned vertically below finder 2, shooting lens 3, flash component4, and speaker 5. Also, on the surface of LCD 6, there is formed aso-called touch tablet 6A for inputting positional data corresponding topositions indicated by contact operation with a specified pen-typepointing device 46 (FIG. 4).

The touch tablet 6A is constituted by a transparent material such asglass and resin so that the user can observe via touch tablet 6A animage displayed on LCD 6 formed inside touch tablet 6A.

Operating keys 7 are constituted by a plurality of keys corresponding tovarious functions as described later, they are operated by pen-typepointing device 46, and they are used when reproducing and displaying onLCD 6 recorded data, such as image data, sound data or text data,recorded on an internally installed memory card, or the like. Forexample, menu key 7A is operated when causing menu information to bedisplayed on LCD 6. Execute (run) key 7B is operated when reproducingrecorded data selected by the user.

Also, clear key 7C is operated when deleting recorded data. Cancel key7D is operated when interrupting reproduction processing of recordeddata. Scroll keys 7E are operated when scrolling the screen in avertical direction.

On a top surface Z of the electronic camera 1, there are provided amicrophone (mike) 8 for collecting sound and an earphone jack 9 forconnecting an earphone (not illustrated).

On the left side surface (surface Y1), there are provided a releaseswitch 10 operated when photographing an object and a power supplyswitch 11 for switching the power supply on and off. The release switch10 and power supply switch 11 are positioned vertically below finder 2,shooting lens 3, and flash component 4, provided on the upper part ofsurface X1.

Meanwhile, on surface Y2 (right side surface) opposite surface Y1, thereare provided a sound recording switch 12 operated when recording sound,and a continuous mode switch 13 operated when switching the continuousmode during photography. The sound recording switch 12 and continuousmode switch 13 are positioned vertically below finder 2, shooting lens3, and flash component 4, provided on the upper part of surface X1, inthe same manner as in the case of the release switch 10 and power supplyswitch 11. Also, sound recording switch 12 is positioned atsubstantially the same height as release switch 10 on surface Y1 so thatthere is no feeling of incongruity when held with either the left orright hand.

The height of release switch 10 and the height of sound recording switch12 can be made intentionally different so that, when a switch only onone side is pressed, the switch on the opposite side surface is notaccidentally pressed when the opposite side surface is held by a fingerto cancel the moment caused by this pressing.

The continuous mode switch 13 is used to set photography of either onlyone frame of the object or a specified plurality of frames continuously.For example, when the indicator of continuous mode switch 13 is switchedto the position printed with “S” (that is, when switched to S mode),only one single frame of photography is performed when release switch 10is pressed.

Also, when the indicator of continuous mode switch 13 is switched to theposition printed with “L” (that is, when switched to L mode), and whenrelease switch 10 is pressed, photography at a rate of eight frames persecond, for example, is performed while release switch 10 is pressed.

Furthermore, when the indicator of continuous mode switch 13 is switchedto the position printed with “H” (that is, when switched to H mode), andwhen release switch 10 is pressed, photography at a rate of thirtyframes per second, for example, is performed while release switch 10 ispressed.

Next, the internal configuration of electronic camera 1 is explained.FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the internalconfiguration of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. CCD20 is provided at the rear part (side of surface X2) of shooting lens 3so as to convert photoelectrically the light image of the object, formedvia shooting lens 3, to corresponding electrical signals (imagesignals), and to output the signals.

Vertically below LCD 6, there are arranged four cylindrical batteries(for example, AA dry cells) 21, for example, and electric poweraccumulated in these batteries 21 is supplied to the camera components.Also, a condenser 22 for accumulating the charge required when flashcomponent 4 emits light is placed alongside batteries 21.

On a circuit board 23, there are formed various types of controlcircuits for controlling each component of electronic camera 1. Also,between circuit board 23 and LCD 6 as well as batteries 21, there isprovided a removable memory card (e.g., recording means) 24, and varioustypes of information input into electronic camera 1 are recorded in eachpredetermined area of memory card 24.

In the present embodiment, memory card 24 is removable, but memory mayalso be provided on circuit board 23 such that each type of informationcan be recorded in that memory. Furthermore, the various types ofinformation recorded on memory card (or memory) 24 can also be output toan external personal computer via an input/output port 25.

Next, the internal electrical configuration of electronic camera 1 ofthe present embodiment is explained, referring to the block diagramshown in FIG. 4. CCD 20, comprising a plurality of pixels,photoelectrically converts to image signals (electrical signals) thelight image formed on each pixel. CCD drive circuit 39 is controlled bya digital signal processor (DSP) 33, described later, so as to drive CCD20. Lens drive circuit 30 moves shooting lens 3 in the direction of theoptical axis so as to perform focusing control, and the like.

Image processor 31 is constituted by a correlated double samplingcircuit (CDS) and automatic gain control circuit (AGC), and the like.CDS is sampled at a specified timing for the image signalsphotoelectrically converted by CCD 20. AGC controls the gain of signalssampled by CDS. Analog/digital conversion circuit (A/D conversioncircuit) 32 digitizes the image signals sampled by CDS of imageprocessor 31, and supplies the signals to DSP 33.

DSP 33 temporarily supplies the digitized image data to buffer memory 35and has it stored. Also, DSP 33 reads the image data stored in buffermemory 35 and compresses it, for example, by the JPEG (JointPhotographic Experts Group) method, described later, then supplies thedata to memory card 24 via data bus 48, and has it recorded in aspecified area (image recording area).

Also, CPU 36 acquires the time from timer 45 so that information of thedate and time having photographed is recorded in the image recordingarea of memory card 24 as header information of the image data. That is,in the image recording area of memory card 24, there is appended data ofphotographic date and time.

Microphone (mike) 8 inputs sound and supplies sound signalscorresponding to that sound to A/D-D/A converter 38. A/D-D/A converter38 converts the supplied sound signals to digital sound (audio) data,and supplies the data to DSP 33. DSP 33 compresses the sound datasupplied by A/D-D/A converter 38, then supplies the data to memory card24 so as to have it stored in the specified area (sound recording area).Also, at this time, in the sound recording area of memory card 24, dataof the recording date and time is recorded as header information of thesound data.

Also, strobe drive circuit 41 is controlled by CPU 36 so as to drivestrobe (flash component) 4. Strobe is driven by strobe control circuit41 so as to emit light at a specified timing and to project the lightonto the object. Charge voltage detection circuit 53 detects the valueof voltage of condenser 22 constituting strobe drive circuit 41, andsupplies signals corresponding to the detected value of voltage to CPU36.

Red-eye reduction lamp drive circuit 43 is controlled by CPU 36 so as todrive red-eye reduction lamp 44. Red-eye reduction lamp 44 is driven byred-eye reduction lamp drive circuit 43 so as to emit light at aspecified timing.

When a specified position of touch tablet 6A is pressed by pen-typepointing device 46 operated by the user, CPU 36 reads the X-Ycoordinates corresponding to the pressed position of touch tablet 6A,and accumulates that coordinate data (constituting line-drawinginformation described later) in a specified memory, not illustrated.Also, CPU 36 supplies the line-drawing information accumulated in memoryto memory card 24 along with header information of the date and time theline-drawing information was input, and has it recorded in theline-drawing information recording area.

Buffer memory 35 and frame memory 47 are connected to CPU 36 via CPUcontrol bus 49. Also, images corresponding to image data stored inbuffer memory 35 can be displayed on LCD 6 via frame memory 47. However,image data having undergone compression processing is supplied to buffermemory 35 via data bus 48 after once having been decompressed by DSP 33.

Also, speaker 5 is connected to A/D-D/A converter 38 so that sound dataread from memory card 24 is output by speaker 5 after having beendecompressed by DSP 33, and converted to analog sound signals by A/D-D/Aconverter 38. Detection circuit 40 detects the value of voltage ofbatteries 21 and supplies data corresponding to the detected value ofvoltage to CPU 36.

Also, when the operating keys 7, and the various switches such asrelease switch 10, power supply switch 11, sound recording switch 12,and continuous mode switch (in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3) are operated, thecorresponding signals are supplied to CPU 36. Also, when operating keys7 or various switches are operated, CPU 36 executes the specifiedprocessing corresponding thereto.

Finder display circuit 51 controls a finder display element 52 providedinside finder 2, and information such as, for example, informationindicating whether or not the presently set shutter speed and apertureare matched, and information indicating whether or not strobe 4 isusable (whether or not the charge voltage of condenser 22 is at aspecified value), is displayed in characters and figures so as to informthe user. Interface 50 performs input/output of data with externaldevices via input/output port 25.

Next, the operation is explained. First, input/output processing ofsound in the above-mentioned embodiment is explained. When power supplyswitch 11 shown in FIG. 1 is switched to the side printed with “ON,”electric power is introduced into electronic camera 1, and when soundrecording switch 12 provided on surface Y2 is pressed, processing ofsound recording (processing performing input of sound and its recording)is initiated. That is, sound input via microphone 8 is converted todigital sound (audio) data by A/D-D/A converter 38, and compressionprocessing is applied in DSP 33, then the data is supplied to memorycard 24 and is recorded in the sound recording area of memory card 24.At this time, in the sound recording area of memory card 24, data of thedate and time of sound recording, and the like, is recorded as headerinformation of the compressed sound data. Such operation is executedrepeatedly while sound recording switch 12 is pressed. Or, it isexecuted repeatedly for a specified time after sound recording switch 12is pressed. As a compression method for sound, the Pulse Code Modulation(PCM) method and other methods can be used.

Next, operation when photographing an object is explained. First, thecase when continuous mode switch provided on surface Y2 is switched to Smode (mode performing only one frame of photography) is explained.First, power supply switch 11 provided on the side of surface Y1 isswitched to the side printed with “ON” and electric power is introducedinto electronic camera 1, as shown in FIG. 1. When release switch 10provided on surface Y1 is pressed, confirming the object in finder 2,photographic processing of the object is initiated.

The light image of the object observed in finder 2 is collected byshooting lens 3 and the image is formed on CCD 20 comprising a pluralityof pixels. The light image of the object formed on CCD 20 isphotoelectrically converted to image signals in each pixel and issampled by CDS constituting image processor 31. After the gain of theimage signals sampled by CDS is controlled in AGC constituting imageprocessor 31, the signals are supplied to A/D conversion circuit 32, aredigitized there, and are provided to DSP 33.

DSP 33 temporarily supplies the digitized image data to buffer memory35, and has it stored. Also, the image data stored in buffer memory 35is compressed according to the JPEG method, having combined discretecosine transform, quantization, and Huffman encoding. After that, thecompressed image data is supplied to memory card 24 via data bus 48.Memory card 24 records the image data supplied by DSP 33 to the imagerecording area. At this time, in the image recording area of memory card24, data of the date and time of photography is recorded as headerinformation of the above-mentioned image data.

When continuous mode switch 13 is switched to S mode, only one frame ofphotography is performed each time release switch 10 is pressed.Consequently, even when release switch 10 is pressed and it continues tobe pressed in that manner, only one frame of photography is performed.Also, when release switch 10 is continuously pressed, continuing for aspecified amount of time, the image just photographed is displayed onLCD 6.

Next, the case when continuous mode switch 13 is switched to L mode(mode performing continuous shooting at eight frames per second) isexplained. First, power supply switch 11 provided on the side of surfaceY1 is switched to the side printed with “ON” and electric power isintroduced into electronic camera 1. When release switch 10 provided onsurface Y1 is pressed, photographic processing of the object isinitiated as follows.

The light from the object observed in finder 2 is collected by shootinglens 3 and an image is formed on CCD 20 comprising a plurality ofpixels. The light image of the object formed on CCD 20′ isphotoelectrically converted to image signals in each pixel and issampled at a rate of eight times per second by CDS of image processor31. Also, at this time, CDS thins out a number equivalent to threefourths of the pixels from CCD 20 among the electrical image signalscorresponding to all the pixels.

The image signals sampled by CDS (image signals of one fourth of thepixels of all pixels of CCD 20) are supplied to A/D conversion circuit32, are digitized there, and are output to DSP 33.

DSP 33 temporarily supplies the digitized image data to buffer memory35, and it is stored. Also, the image data stored in buffer memory 35 isread by DSP 33 and compressed according to the JPEG method. Thecompression-processed image data is supplied to memory card 24 via databus 48, and it is stored in the image recording area. At this time, inthe image recording area of memory card 24, data of the date and time ofphotography is recorded as header information of the above-mentionedimage data.

Next, the case when continuous mode switch 13 is switched to H mode(mode performing continuous shooting at thirty frames per second) isexplained. First, power supply switch 11 provided on the side of surfaceY1 is switched to the side printed with “ON” and electric power isintroduced into electronic camera 1. When release switch 10 provided onsurface Y1 is pressed, photographic processing of the object isinitiated as follows.

The light from the object observed in finder 2 is collected by shootinglens 3 and an image is formed on CCD 20. The light image of the objectformed on CCD 20, comprising a plurality of pixels, is photoelectricallyconverted to image signals in each pixel and is sampled at a rate ofthirty times per second by CDS of image processor 31. Also, at thistime, CDS thins out a number equivalent to eight ninths of the pixelsfrom CCD 20 among the electrical image signals corresponding to all thepixels.

The image signals sampled by CDS (image signals of one ninth of thepixels of all pixels of CCD 20) are supplied to A/D conversion circuit32, are digitized there, and are output to DSP 33.

DSP 33 temporarily supplies the digitized image data to buffer memory35, and has it stored. Also, DSP 33 reads the image data stored inbuffer memory 35 and compresses it according to the JPEG method. Doingthus, the digitized and compression-processed image data is supplied tomemory card 24 via data bus 48, and is recorded in the image recordingarea of memory card 24 along with header information of the date andtime of photography.

During photography of an object, light also can be projected on theobject by causing strobe (flash component) 4 to operate according toneed. In this case, strobe 4 emits light at a specified timing accordingto control of strobe drive circuit 41. Also, red-eye reduction lamp 44also can be made to emit light in order to control the red-eyephenomenon. In this case, red-eye reduction lamp 44 emits light at aspecified timing according to control of red-eye reduction lamp drivecircuit 43.

Next, operation when inputting two-dimensional information (pen inputinformation (line-drawing information)) using touch tablet 6A isexplained. When the pen tip of pen-type pointing device 46 contactstouch tablet 6A, data corresponding to the XY coordinates of thecontacted location is supplied to CPU 36. Based on the datacorresponding to these XY coordinates, CPU 36 writes image datacorresponding to a point, for example, having a specified size, in theposition in frame memory 47 corresponding to the above-mentioned XYcoordinates. By this, a point of the specified size is displayed in acorresponding position on LCD 6.

Because touch tablet 6A formed on the surface of LCD 6 is constituted bya transparent material, as described above, the user can observe thepoint displayed in the position on LCD 6 having pressed touch tablet 6Awith the pen tip of pen-type pointing device 46 and can feel as ifhaving performed direct pen input on LCD 6. Also, when pen-type pointingdevice 46 is moved on touch tablet 6A, on LCD 6 there is displayed aline following the course of movement of pen-type pointing device 46.Furthermore, when pen-type pointing device 46 is moved intermittently ontouch tablet 6A, on LCD 6 there is displayed a broken line following themovement of pen-type pointing device. As such, the user can input thedesired line-drawing information such as characters and figures usingtouch tablet 6A, LCD 6.

Also, when an image is displayed on LCD 6, and when line-drawinginformation such as characters, for example, is input by pen-typepointing device 46, this line-drawing information is composed in framememory 47, and it is displayed simultaneously with the image informationon LCD 6.

The user can select the color of the line drawings to be displayed onLCD 6 from a plurality of colors such as black, white, red, and green,by operating a color selection switch, not illustrated.

When execute (run) key 7B of operating keys 7 is pressed after input ofline-drawing information by pen-type pointing device 46 and touch tablet6A, the line-drawing information temporarily accumulated in the dataarea of buffer memory 35 is supplied to memory card 24 via CPU controlbus 49 along with header information of input date and time, and theyare recorded in the line-drawing information recording area of memorycard 24.

The line-drawing information thus recorded in memory card 24 isinformation having undergone compression processing. Becauseline-drawing information input by touch tablet 6A contains muchinformation having a high spatial frequency component, when compressionprocessing is performed by the JPEG method used to compress theabove-mentioned image information, the compression rate is poor, and thequantity of information is not significantly reduced. Furthermore,because compression by the JPEG method is irreversible compression, itis not suitable for compression of line-drawing information havinglittle quantity of information. This is because gathering and spreadingaccompanying deficiencies in the information become prominent whendecompressed and displayed on LCD 6.

Therefore, line-drawing information is compressed, for example, by therun-length method used in facsimile machines, and the like. Therun-length method is a method that compresses line-drawing informationby scanning the line drawing in a horizontal direction, and encodingcontinuous lengths of information (points) of each color, black, white,red, green, and the like, and the continuous lengths of non-information(parts not having pen input).

By using this run-length method, line-drawing information can becompressed efficiently. Also, even when the compressed line-drawinginformation is decompressed, it becomes possible to suppressdeficiencies in the information. Line-drawing information also can bemade so that it is not compressed when the quantity of that informationis comparatively little.

Also, when an image is displayed on LCD 6, and when pen input isperformed, as described above, the image data and line-drawinginformation input by pen are composed in frame memory 47, and acomposite image of the image and line drawing is displayed on LCD 6.However, in memory card 24, the image data and the line-drawinginformation are recorded separately in the image recording area and theline-drawing information recording area. Thus, because the two types ofinformation are recorded in different areas, the user can delete eitherimage from the composite image of the image and the line drawing. Also,each type of image information can be compressed by individualcompression methods and recorded.

Also, when data is recorded in any one of the sound recording area,image recording area, and line-drawing information recording area ofmemory card 24, a list display screen showing a list A of the recordedinformation can be displayed on LCD 6 as shown in FIG. 5. In the listdisplay screen on LCD 6 shown in FIG. 5, the year, month, and day(recording date E) (here, Aug. 25, 1995) of the moment when theinformation was recorded is displayed at the lower part of the screen,and the recording time of the information recorded on that recordingdate is displayed at the leftmost side of the screen.

On the right side of the recording time, there are displayed thumbnailimages B when image data is recorded. The thumbnail images B are reducedimages created by thinning out the bit-map data of each image recordedon memory card 24. Consequently, the information having thumbnail imagesdisplayed is information including image information. Namely, in theinformation recorded (input) at “10:16” and “10:21,” image informationis included, and in the information recorded at “10:05,” “10:28,”“10:54,” and “13:10,” no image information is included. Also, memosymbol “*” (specified as D) represents that a specified memo is recordedas line-drawing information.

Furthermore, on the right side of the display area of the thumbnailimages B, there are displayed bars (lines) C of lengths corresponding tothe lengths of the sound recording time. These sound information barsare not displayed when sound information is not input.

The user selects and specifies information to be reproduced by pressinginside a rectangular area where the desired information is displayed onthe screen shown in FIG. 5 with the pen tip of pen-type pointing device46, and reproduces the selected information by pressing execute (run)key 7B shown in FIG. 2 with the pen tip of pen-type pointing device 46.By this, the selected information is output.

For example, when the inside of band-shaped area where “10:05” isdisplayed, on the screen shown in FIG. 5, is pressed by pen-typepointing device 46, CPU 36 instructs DSP 33 to reproduce the soundcorresponding to the selected sound recording date and time (10:05).

According to the instruction from CPU 36, DSP 33 reads the sound datafrom memory card 24, applies decompression processing, and then suppliesthe data to A/D-D/A converter 38. A/D-D/A converts to analog signals thesound data decompressed and supplied by DSP 33 and outputs the signalsby speaker 5. When an earphone, not illustrated, is connected toearphone jack 9, the sound is output from the earphone rather than beingoutput from speaker 5.

When reproducing image data recorded on memory card 24, the user selectsthat information by pressing the desired thumbnail image with the pentip of pen-type pointing device 46, and reproduces that selectedinformation next by pressing execute (run) key 7B.

The image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail is read frommemory card 24 by DSP 33 and is decompressed. The decompressed imagedata is supplied to frame memory 47 via CPU control bus 49, and isstored as bit-map data. Next, control signals corresponding to the imagedata stored in frame memory 47 are supplied to LCD 6, and thecorresponding image is displayed.

At this time, when sound data is also recorded (for example, in thecases of “10:16” and “10:21”), the sound can be output by speaker 5 orthe earphone as described above.

Next, the operation mainly in the record mode of electronic camera 1 isexplained, referring to the flow charts shown in FIG. 6 through FIG. 8.First, in step S1 of FIG. 6, CPU 36 sets to 0 the value of a mode flagindicating record mode, reproduction (play) mode, and the like. Next, instep S2, the value of the mode flag is determined by CPU 36. When thevalue of the mode flag is determined to be 0, the operation advances tostep S4, and processing in the record mode is executed. In the presentcase, because the value of the mode flag is set to 0 in step S1, theoperation advances to step S4, and processing in the record mode isexecuted.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure in the recordmode executed in step S4 of FIG. 6. First, in step S11, chargingprocessing of strobe 4 is executed. That is, the process of supplying tocondenser 22 the charge necessary for strobe 4 to operate is executed.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the details of the processing executed instep S11 of FIG. 7. First, in step S21, the value of the count of timer45 is reset to 0. Next, in step S22, processing initiation of thecharging of strobe 4 is performed. For example, batteries 21 andcondenser 22 are connected, and electric power is supplied frombatteries 21 to condenser 22. As described above, condenser 22constitutes strobe drive circuit 41, and charge voltage detectioncircuit 53 detects the charge voltage of condenser 22.

In step S23, the charge voltage of condenser 22 constituting strobedrive circuit 41 is detected by charge voltage detection circuit 53, andit is determined whether the charge voltage of condenser 22 is aspecified value necessary for causing strobe 4 to flash. When the chargevoltage of condenser 22 is determined to be the specified value, theoperation advances to step S24, and additional charging for the amountof three seconds, for example, is performed. This is because there isvariation in the precision of detection of charge voltage detectioncircuit 53, and it is performed in order to compensate for that.

Next, in step S25, end-of-charging processing is performed by control ofCPU 36. For example, under control of CPU 36, strobe drive circuit 41cuts the connection between batteries 21 and condenser 22, and stops thesupply of electric power from batteries 21 to condenser 22, and theoperation returns.

On the other hand, in step S23, when the charge voltage was determinedto be less than the specified value, the operation advances to step S26,and it is determined whether an operation to escape the record mode wasperformed. For example, it is determined whether a switch for settingrecord mode and reproduction (play) mode was operated. When it wasdetermined that an operation to escape record mode was performed, theoperation advances to step S27, and end-of-charging processing isexecuted. Next, in step S28, the value corresponding to the other mode(for example, in this case, reproduction (play) mode, or the like, otherthan record mode) is set to the mode flag, and the operation returns toperform step S12 (FIG. 7).

Also, in step S26, when it is determined an operation to escape therecord mode was not performed, the operation advances to step S29, andit is determined whether another operation was performed. For example,it is determined whether sound recording switch 12, touch tablet 6A,operating keys 7, and the like, were operated. When it is determinedthat another operation was not performed, the operation returns to stepS23, and the processing from step S23 on down is executed iteratively.On the other hand, when it was determined that another operation wasperformed, the operation returns to perform step S12 (FIG. 7).

The processing of step S25, step S28 or step S29 ends, and the operationreturns to perform step S12 (FIG. 7). Next, the operation advances tostep S12 of FIG. 7, and the value of the mode flag is determined. Whenthe value of the mode flag is determined to be 0 (record mode), theoperation advances to step S13, and, according to the operationdetermined in step S29 of FIG. 8, an operation for causing a specifiedprocessing A to be executed is performed. In step S14, processing B isexecuted according to the operation specified in step S29 of FIG. 8.

Next, in step S15, it is determined whether the value of the count oftimer 45 is greater than the value of the count corresponding to aspecified time. When the value of the count of timer 45 is determined tobe greater than the value of the count corresponding to the standardtime, the operation returns to step S11, and charging processing ofstrobe 4 is executed again. The standard time here can be made, forexample, two minutes. By this, condenser 22 can be charged insubstantially two minutes, the charge accumulated in condenser 22 isdischarged naturally, and the charge voltage can be prevented fromdropping below the standard voltage necessary for causing strobe 4 toflash.

On the other hand, when it was determined that the value of the count oftimer 45 is less than or equal to the value of the count correspondingto the specified standard time, the operation returns to step S12, andprocessing of steps S12 on down is executed iteratively.

Also, in step S12, when it was determined that the value of the modeflag is other than 0, that is, in step S26 of FIG. 8, it is determinedwhether an operation to escape record mode was performed, and in stepS28, when a value (other than 0) corresponding to another mode (here, amode other than record mode) was set to the mode flag, the operationreturns, and it returns to step S2 of FIG. 6.

When, for example, the value of the mode flag was set to 1 (reproduction(play) mode) in step S28 of FIG. 8, it is determined in step S2 of FIG.6 that the value of the mode flag is 1, the operation advances to stepS3, and processing in the reproduction (play) mode is executed. Also,when the value of the mode flag was set to a value other than 0 and 1 instep S28 of FIG. 8, the value of the mode flag is determined in step S2of FIG. 6 to be a value other than 0 and 1, the operation advances tostep S5, and processing of the other mode is executed.

When the processing in step S3, the processing in step S4 or theprocessing in step S5 ends, the operation returns to step S2, andprocessing of steps S2 on down is executed iteratively.

Also, in step S3 and in step S5, in the same manner as in the processingof the record mode in step S4, when an operation to change the mode isperformed, the operation returns, it returns to step S2, and processingof steps S2 on down is executed iteratively.

Thus, when power supply switch 11 is turned on, because the operationimmediately enters the record mode, the user can photograph the image ofa specified object by operating release switch 10 after having turned onpower supply switch 11. Therefore, it is made such that a shootingopportunity is not missed. In the same manner, the user can record aspecified sound by operating sound recording switch 12 after havingturned on power supply switch 11. Therefore, it is made such that asound recording opportunity is not missed.

Also, in record mode, because charging of the strobe 4 is performedwithin a specified time, charging of strobe 4 is not performed whenphotographing a specified object. Therefore, missing of a shootingopportunity due to strobe 4 not being caused to flash is controlled.Also, in a mode other than record mode, because charging of the strobe 4is stopped, wasteful consumption of batteries 21 can be controlled.

Furthermore, in a mode other than record mode, it can be made such thatsupply of electric power to finder display circuit 51 and finder displayelement 52, provided inside optical finder 2, is stopped. Also, in amode other than record mode, supply of electric power to thephotographic components for performing processing related tophotography, such as CCD 20, image processor 31, lens drive circuit 30,and CCD drive circuit 39, is stopped. Thus, wasteful consumption ofbatteries 21 can be controlled.

Also, in a mode other than recording mode, other than those mentioned inthe above-mentioned embodiment, performance of the functions relatedonly to recording may be stopped. For example, lens driving of theshooting lens can be stopped, which may be advantageous in a camerausing an electronic zoom lens as a shooting lens and in a camera havingan autofocus function.

In the illustrated embodiment, the camera controller can be implementedas a single special purpose integrated circuit (e.g., ASIC) having amain or central processor section for overall, system-level control, andseparate sections dedicated to performing various different specificcomputations, functions and other processes under control of the centralprocessor section. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the controller can also be implemented using a plurality ofseparate dedicated or programmable integrated or other electroniccircuits or devices (e.g., hardwired electronic or logic circuits suchas discrete element circuits, or programmable logic devices such asPLDs, PLAs, PALs or the like). The controller can also be implementedusing a suitably programmed general purpose computer, e.g., amicroprocessor, microcontroller or other processor device (CPU or MPU),either alone or in conjunction with one or more peripheral (e.g.,integrated circuit) data and signal processing devices. In general, anydevice or assembly of devices on which a finite state machine capable ofimplementing the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6-8 can be used as thecontroller. As shown, a distributed processing architecture is preferredfor maximum data/signal processing capability and speed.

Incidentally, in the record mode as described above, sound recordingswitch 12 has a function for indicating the start of recording of soundinput by microphone 8 to memory card 24. As a matter of fact, in thereproduction (play) mode, it is made such that sound recording switch 12functions as a switch (reproduction (play) switch) for indicating thestart of reproduction of sound data recorded on memory card 24. By this,one switch can be made to have a plurality of functions, simplificationof the operating components can be accomplished, and operability can beimproved.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, finder 2 was made an opticalcomponent, but it can also be made so as to use a liquid crystal finderusing liquid crystal. Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, only onemicrophone is provided, but two microphones may be provided on the leftand right so as to record sound in stereo. Also, in the above-mentionedembodiment, each type of information was input using a pen-type pointingdevice, but it can also be made so as to input using a finger.Furthermore, the display screen displayed on LCD 6 is only one example,the invention is not limited to this, and it can be made to use screensof various layouts. Similarly, the types and layout of operating keysare only one example, and the invention is not limited to these.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:an input device for inputting an image; a memory for storing the imageinput by the input device; a power supply that supplies electric powerto the input device; an indicator that indicates power supply to theinput device; a mode switch that switches between a first mode to storein the memory the image input by the input device, and a second mode toreproduce the image stored in the memory; a strobe drive circuit havinga condenser which is operated to iteratively charge the condenser by acharge operation while power supply is indicated by the indicator and inthe first mode, the strobe drive circuit being configured such that thecharge operation is executed again after a predetermined time whilestill in the first mode even when the charge operation is executed inthe first mode; and a controller that controls the input device, themode switch and the strobe drive circuit, wherein when the mode ischanged from the first mode to the second mode, the controller stops theoperation to iteratively charge the condenser of the strobe drivecircuit even though power supply is indicated.
 2. An informationprocessing apparatus, comprising: an input device for inputting animage; a memory for storing the image input by the input device; a powersupply that supplies electric power to the input device; an indicatorthat indicates power supply to the input device; a mode switch thatswitches between an image recording mode to store in the memory theimage input by the input device, and another mode which does not operatethe input device; a strobe drive circuit having a condenser; and acontroller that controls the input device, the power supply, the modeswitch and the strobe drive circuit, wherein the controller operates thestrobe drive circuit to: (a) actuate the strobe drive circuit toiteratively charge the condenser by a charge operation when in the imagerecording mode by the mode switch, such that the charge operation isexecuted again after a predetermined time while still in the imagerecording mode even when the charge operation is executed in the imagerecording mode, (b) stop operation of the strobe drive circuit toiteratively charge the condenser when the mode is changed to the anothermode from the image recording mode, and (c) resume operation of thestrobe drive circuit when the mode is returned to the image recordingmode from the another mode.
 3. An information processing apparatus asdefined in claim 2, wherein the another mode is an image reproducingmode.
 4. An information processing apparatus as defined in claim 2,wherein the another mode is a sound recording mode.
 5. A method foroperating an information processing apparatus having a mode switch thatswitches between a first mode that stores information, and a second modethat reproduces information, the method comprising the steps of:inputting an image using an input device; storing the input image in amemory; supplying electric power to the input device; indicating powersupply to the input device; detecting when the mode switch is changedbetween the first mode to the second mode; iteratively charging acondenser of a strobe drive circuit which is operated to charge thecondenser by a charge operation while power supply is indicated andwhile in the first mode, such that the charge operation is executedagain after a predetermined time while still in the first mode even whenthe charge operation is executed in the first mode; and automaticallystopping operation of the charging of the condenser of the strobe drivecircuit when the mode is switched from the first mode to the second modeby the mode switch even though power supply is indicated.
 6. A methodfor operating an information processing apparatus having a mode switchthat switches between an image recording mode that stores informationand another mode which does not operate an input device, the methodcomprising the steps of: inputting an image using the input device;storing the input image in a memory; supplying electric power to theinput device; indicating power supply to the input device; actuating astrobe drive circuit having a condenser to iteratively charge thecondenser by a charge operation when the mode switch is in the imagerecording mode, such that the charge operation is executed again after apredetermined time while still in the image recording mode even when thecharge operation is executed in the image recording mode; stoppingoperation of the strobe drive circuit to charge the condenser when themode switch is changed to the another mode from the image recordingmode; and resuming the operation of the strobe drive circuit when themode switch is returned to the image recording mode from the anothermode.
 7. An information processing apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the charge operation detects at specified time intervals whetherthe charge voltage of the condenser is at a predetermined value.
 8. Aninformation processing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein thecharge operation detects at specified time intervals whether the chargevoltage of the condenser is at a predetermined value.
 9. An informationprocessing apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the charge operationdetects at specified time intervals whether the charge voltage of thecondenser is at a predetermined value.
 10. An information processingapparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the charge operation detects atspecified time intervals whether the charge voltage of the condenser isat a predetermined value.